Esko and Fujifilm America announce that Fujifilm will be a reseller of Esko CDI digital flexo plate imagers. Fujifilm will use the CDI’s to image their new Clarity flexo plates. This extends the companies’ partnership – Fujifilm is already a reseller of Esko Kongsberg tables for sign & display businesses.

“Esko has had a great partnership with Fujifilm through our cooperative efforts working with sign and display shops selling our Kongsberg tables. They have done a great job offering solutions to our common customers,” says Larry Moore, VP – Partner Programs, Esko North America. “We expect to see the same diligence serving converters and trade shops as they offer complete flexo digital platemaking solutions with Esko CDI imagers and their Clarity plates.”

The majority of all digital flexo plates globally are imaged on CDIs, and there is a CDI for most every need – from narrow web label printing, to flexible packaging and wide format corrugated printing; from one color printed corrugated boxes to highly sophisticated multi-color packaging and also security printing. Esko also offers HD and Full HD Flexo, platemaking systems designed for superior flexo printing. Esko HD Flexo, already used by many of Esko’s flexo customers, is touted as improving flexo quality to challenge gravure and offset quality. With a patented, fully digitally controlled platemaking workflow combining high-resolution 4000 ppi imaging with an Inline UV2 main exposure unit, Full HD Flexo plates are imaged, exposed, and delivered directly to the plate processor, with no need for light table exposure.

Fujifilm will be offering the CDI imager along with its Clarity water-washable flexo plate, which was introduced during PRINT in September 2013. It offers 200 lpi and 1 percent flat top dot reproduction at fast production times, and lowers cost-in-use compared to thermal, solvent and other water-wash technologies, according to Peter Vanderlaan director, product marketing, Fujifilm Graphic Systems Division. The plate can be used for simple tag line copy or the most advanced digital imagery. Fujifilm also offers a full range of equipment from small stand-alone units to much wider full in-line systems. A wide variety of sheet sizes from 20” X 21“ to 42” X 60” are available.

“We are happy to extend our partnership with Esko. Their CDI imagers are well entrenched in the industry—and for good reason. They offer the quality that will make the most of our Fujifilm Clarity plates,” comments Vanderlaan. “We look forward offering a great flexo plate package to our customers.”